The PC is one of the most iconic inventions of the past century. When computers were first developed, they completely altered the way humans did work. Due to their versatility and responsiveness, tedious tasks became much quicker and a lot of things could be done automatically. It wasn’t long before computers were used in virtually every field, from photography to complex mechanical solutions. Today, computers are widely used in different industries. Industrial manufacturing and food processing industries generally require computers for use with their machines. These computers are connected to machines and add an element of automation to the job at hand.
However, you can’t use an ordinary computer in an industrial environment. Ordinary computers are quite flimsy and get damaged quite easily. Industrial environments are extremely harsh. The temperature is higher, and there’s always a risk of liquid or solid spillovers. If you install a conventional computer in an industrial environment, it will get damaged within a few days. Most computers often overheat if the external temperature gets higher. That’s why there are certain companies that manufacture rugged computers designed specifically for use in industrial environments. A rugged panel PC is created for use in harsh environments, and can perform a slew of different functions.
Appearance
The appearance of a rugged panel computer is also very different than that of an ordinary one. As the name suggests, the whole computer is placed within a rugged panel. The panel itself is generally quite sturdy and can withstand a lot of weight and pressure. Some computers also have fans installed within them to maintain the temperature inside. The rugged panel also provides water resistance, which is why most rugged panel computers are IP 67 certified.
Features
Modern computers generally come equipped with many different features, such as USB 3.0 ports, HDMI output, and cross-platform compatibility. However, a rugged panel PC, which is designed specifically for industrial usage, offers only a limited amount of features. In fact, to the common eye, these computers might seem outdated. For instance, rugged computers don’t provide HDMI output, and are still equipped with USB 2.0 ports, whereas the norm is USB 3.0.
There are several reasons for this. These computers are designed for use with specific machines. They aren’t designed to maximize computing performance; they are simply designed as a means to an end. The focus lies primarily on reliability and longevity, which is why most computers also have additional slots for adding new components. For instance, you can switch out and install more RAM in the computer, or add a bigger hard drive depending upon your usage.
